Carrollton Farm was once an empty cow field, but over several years beginning in the 1990's through the 2000's, over 400 were transplanted along the road, the driveway, near the house and in various other places around the farm. All of the Ash trees were transplanted from around the "mother Ash" on the edge of the property, whose seeds blew across part of a field and created a natural nursery of seedling Ash.
The invasive Emerald Ash Borer is expected to kill all Ash trees in North America. In preparation for the die-off (which would make the farm essentially treeless again), 30 young disease-resistant Elms and 175 young Maple trees of mixed variety have been transplanted onto the farm. Right now they are planted in a nursery arrangement until they can grow and gain root strength to be transplanted to their permanent locations. The white tubes protect the young trees from rutting deer, although they have not stopped the deer from nipping off the tasty Maple buds!
Here's what we have to look forward to!
Our fields used for farming have traditionally been planted with corn and soybeans. This year, they have been planted with rye, as a first step to becoming an Organic Certified Farm.
Transplanted apple trees on the farm include Haralson, Haral Red, Zestar, Sweet Sixteen, State Fair, Beacon, and Honeycrisp. All are organic, which means that many are lost to worms and bees, however there are more than enough left that are suitable for eating. Click below for more photos.
A motion-sensor camera snapped this pic of a black bear on the property. Could be one of the bear cubs we saw last summer, all grown up.
Plum and Pear trees are planted near the house. Combine some plums combined with jalepenos from the garden for a spicy sweet jam. The pears can be canned, too.
Each year one hunter (usually the same one!) is permitted to come onto Carrollton Farm and hunt wild turkeys with a bow and arrow. These impressive (and abundant) birds are then wood-fire smoked to perfection (this year, with applewood from one of our downed apple trees).
Friends and family gathered at Carrollton Farm for a wedding celebration. Click the image below for more photos.
Here we have beets, string beans, and lots of tomatoes (including some heirloom). We also grow (not pictured), lettuce, cabbage, corn, potatoes, onions, cucumbers, carrots, peppers, brussels sprouts, basil, mint, raspberries, strawberries, pumpkins, and squash. All the produce is organic, meaning that it tastes great, but much of it is imperfect, and some is lost to bugs and deer.